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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has offered a R400,000 reward for credible information that could help investigators solve a series of women’s killings in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane announced the reward on Tuesday during a media briefing in Johannesburg as police intensified investigations into the deaths.
“There is R400,000 that we are putting on the table so that we are able to strengthen our investigations. And we do appreciate the support as well as any information that we can get over and above what we currently have,” Dimpane said.
The reward comes as police investigate the deaths of eight women whose bodies have been found across Ekurhuleni.
Five of the cases are in Kempton Park, two in Olifantsfontein and one in KwaThema, according to police. Investigators are working to establish whether the deaths are connected, but have not confirmed that all eight cases involve the same perpetrator.
The investigation intensified after several bodies were found naked or partially clothed, with some showing signs of bruising or possible sexual violence. One of the victims, 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, was found dead after she went missing while out for a run.
Police have cautioned against drawing conclusions about a possible serial killer, saying investigators are considering different possibilities, including whether the deaths could involve one perpetrator, multiple suspects or separate incidents.
One suspect has been arrested in connection with one of the killings reported in July, while police are also pursuing another person of interest. The identities of several of the victims have yet to be established, with forensic teams working to identify them.
A high-level multidisciplinary team has been established to investigate the cases, while police visibility is being increased in Kempton Park and surrounding areas through Operation Shanela.
The latest killings have renewed concerns over violence against women in South Africa, where gender-based violence and femicide remain longstanding public safety concerns.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed law enforcement authorities to prioritise the investigations and pledged that “no stone will be left unturned” in efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
Police are appealing to members of the public with relevant information, including information investigators may not yet know, to come forward.
